ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Massive campaign launched by Ministry of Defence against single use plastic
Ministry of Defence is organisinga massive plogging programme at more than 400 locationsthroughout the countrytomorrowas part of the activities of Swachhta Pakhwada. All the three services, various other defence establishments have chalked out detailed programmes to be held at different locations.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will flag off the main event from Delhi Cantt at 1230 Hrs on December 07, where around 3,000 people are expected to join and collect waste plastic and participate in other Swachhta related activities.
Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard , Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Ordnance Factory Board, Cantonment boards, national Cadet Corps , Boarder Road Organisation  and other affiliated organisations have formulated action plansto conduct special plogging events.
The number of units/locations of defence establishments participating are as follow: The Army will clean up waste at 17 locations across the country from Siachen to Jaisalmer and Bhuj to Bairengte . Similarly, Indian Navy will clean up waste at30 locations from Mumbai to Karwar  and Kolkata to Vishakapatnam. Indian Air Force will also clean up waste at 150 locations from Hindon to Upper Shillong  and Nagpur to Trivandrum. Apart from the three services, Indian Coast Guard has identified 47 locations, Cantonment Boards - 62 locations, NCC – 18 locations, Sainik Schools – 31 locations, BRO -18 locations, Comptroller General of Defence Accounts  – 20 locations, etc. across the country.
The aim of this massive exercise is to raise awareness amongst the community, collect plastic waste and make the surroundings clean. The slogan for this event is ‘Plastic Se Raksha – Swachhata Hi Suraksha’. Swachhta anthem will be played in all the events across the country. Community awareness programmes such as nukkadnataks, debates, quizzes, painting competitions among students etc. will also be organised.
These events will be conducted towards spreading awareness against ill-effect of plastic on environment, bring about behavioural change with respect to sanitation and to give up use of plastic including carry bags, plastic cutlery, plastic water bottles, etc.
There will also be competition amongst the units. The winner will be selected based on number of participants mobilised for plogging and the amount of plastic collected.
Swachh Bharat Mission is one of the flagship programmes of the Government, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi throughout the country on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi in 2014 to realise his dream of ‘Clean India’.
ABB/Nampi/DK/MTJ/ADA
(Visitor Counter : 622
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
UPDATES ON COVID-19
Central teams deployed to over 50 municipal bodies facing high COVID-19 case load
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has deployed high level multi-disciplinary Central teams to 15 States/UTs with more than 50 districts/municipal bodies that are witnessing high case load and high spurt of cases to assist the State Governments by providing technical support for containment and facilitate management of COVID-19 outbreak. These States/UTs are: Maharashtra , Telangana , Tamil Nadu , Rajasthan , Assam , Haryana , Gujarat , Karnataka , Uttarakhand , Madhya Pradesh , West Bengal , Delhi , Bihar , Uttar Pradesh , and Odisha .
The three-member teams are composed of two public health experts/epidemiologists/clinicians and a senior Joint Secretary level nodal officer for administrative handholding and improving governance. These teams are working in the field and visiting health care facilities to support the State health department in implementation of containment measures and efficient treatment/clinical management of cases within the districts/cities.
In order to ensure better coordination, quick action on the ground, adoption of a more granular strategy, it is proposed that these districts/municipalities should regularly remain in touch with central teams which are already coordinating with the States. Such frequent interaction would further strengthen the surveillance, containment, testing and treatment related action on the ground.
The central teams are assisting the States/UTs in addressing some of the challenges faced by the State/UT authorities such testing bottlenecks, low tests/per million population,, high confirmation rates, high testing confirmation rate, risk of capacity shortfall over the next two months, potential bed shortage, growing Case Fatality Rate, high doubling rate, sudden spike in active cases, etc.
Many districts/municipalities have already formalised a dedicated Core Team at the district level comprising of district level medical and administrative officials to coordinate over regular basis with the Central Team.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre rushes multi-disciplinary team to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh where a case of Zika Virus Disease has been reported
Union Health Ministry has rushed a high level multi-disciplinary team to Uttar Pradesh where a case of Zika Virus Disease case has been reported. A 57-year-old male from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh has tested positive for Zika virus disease on 22nd October 2021.
The multidisciplinary team comprising of an entomologist, public health specialists and gynaecologist drawn from National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, National Center for Disease Control and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi has been deployed by Union Health Ministry to assist the State Health authorities for control and containment measures of the Zika virus disease.
The team shall work closely with the State Health Department, take a stock of the situation on the ground and assess whether the Union Health Ministry’s Action Plan for Zika Management is being implemented. The team will also recommend necessary public health interventions for management of Zika in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President’s Milad-un-Nabi Greetings
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in his message on the eve of Milad-un-Nabi has said: -
"I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, celebrated to commemorate the birth of Prophet Mohammad.
The day is celebrated with the offering of prayers by thousands in mosques. Homes and places of worship are decorated with lights and people partake in feasts which are shared with the poor and the needy.
Prophet Mohammad preached love, peace, compassion, universal brotherhood and empathy. He showed humanity the path of righteousness and virtue.
I hope that this celebration of the life of the Prophet will strengthen the spirit of generosity and charity and bring people closer to one another.
May His eternal message continue to guide us in building a peaceful and harmonious society."
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NIPCCD organizes a Consultation Meet for Functionaries of Child Care Institutions under Provisions of Mission Vatsalya in Indore
A Consultation Meet for Functionaries of Child Care Institutions was held on 30 May, 2023 towards effective implementation of Mission Vatsalya at NIPCCD Regional Center Indore. 26 Participants attended the programme on ‘Provisions under Mission Vatsalya’.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the National Security Strategies Conference 2022 in New Delhi
It has been the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to ensure a safe and secure nation by strengthening all aspects of national security mechanism
Union Home Minister emphasized upon the importance of human intelligence towards countering terrorism
Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System 
It has been the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to ensure a safe and secure nation by strengthening all aspects of national security mechanism. In pursuance of this vision, the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated two-day National Security Strategies  Conference 2022, today in New Delhi. Home Secretary, Deputy NSAs, DGsP/IGsP of all States/UTs and DGs of CAPFs are attending the Conference. The Conference is being attended by 600 officers from across the country, physically and virtually.
The NSS Conference brings a unique mix of top leadership addressing national security challenges alongside cutting edge Police officers/Security practitioners and experts from specialized fields. Prior to the commencement of the Conference, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Martyrs Column.
On the first day of the Conference today, deliberations were held on various subjects of national security, including counter-terrorism, radicalisation, issues pertaining to crypto currencies, counter rogue drone technology and challenges posed by Maoist outfits.
The Union Home Minister emphasized upon the importance of human intelligence towards countering terrorism, underscoring the crucial role of District Level Police officers in identifying emerging terror hotspots.
Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System , developed by NCRB. This System will help in quick and easy disposal of cases with the help of centralized finger print database.
The Union Home Minister would be addressing the Conference on the concluding day tomorrow.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Cabinet approves Determination of ‘Fair and Remunerative Price’ of sugarcane payable by sugar mills for 2019-20 sugar season
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs  chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal in respect of Determination of ‘Fair and Remunerative Price’ of sugarcane payable by sugar mills for 2019-20 sugar season.
The FRP is based on the recommendation of the Commission of Agricultural Costs & Prices  as per its report of August 2018 on the price policy for sugarcane for the 2019-20 season. The CACP has recommended the same price for the 2019-20 sugar season as it was for the sugar season 2018-19.
The CCEA also approved to provide a premium of Rs. 2.75 per qtl for every 0.1% increase above 10% in the recovery;
Benefits:
The approval will ensure a guaranteed price to cane growers. The ‘FRP’ of sugarcane is determined under Sugarcane  Order, 1966. This will be uniformly applicable all over the country. Determination of FRP will be in the interest of sugarcane growers keeping in view their entitlement to a fair and remunerative price for their produce.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Special Swachhta Campaign 2.0 during 2nd October, 2022 to 31st October, 2022
A Special Swachhta Campaign 2.0 was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 02nd October 2022 for disposal of pending matters from 2nd to 31st October, 2022 under consistent monitoring of Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- The department of Social Justice and Empowerment undertook Special Campaign 0 for Disposal of Pending Matters  in its filed units also in two phases –Preparatory Phase from 14.09.2022 to 30.09.2022 and implementing phase from 02.10.2022 to 31.10.2022 focusing on the following points:-
- Minimising pendency: Public Grievances Disposal of CPGRAMs, IMC: EFC/SFC/Cabinet Note, State Government References, Parliament assurances etc;
- Digitalisation: 100% e-Office implementation, Digitisation of 100% physical files and receipts ;
- Efficient Management of Office Space: Scrapping of Unused files/Old papers/File covers/File boards /Unserviceable items like Computers/Printer/ Furniture etc;
- Environment friendly practices: 100% Go Green , Through Trash get Cash etc;
- Cleanliness drive: 03 hours in a week by each Officer/Officials during the campaign;
- Institutionalising Swachhata in the Department.
3. In this regard, Corporations/Autonomous bodies of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment like Dr. Ambedkar International Centre , National Institute of Social Defence , Dr. Ambedkar Foundation National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation , National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation , National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation,  were selected in addition to all the sections of the Department.
4. Following are the major outcomes of the Campaign:-
- 3440 Public Grievances have been redressed.
- 05 State Government References have been cleared.
- More than 250 files reviewed and 233 files were weeded out.
- Furniture and computers were scrapped and earned revenue of Rs 53000/-
- 1500 Sq feet Space created by removing scrapable items and renovation work carried out in the offices
- Environment friendly practices like 100% Go Green , regular cleanliness activities and implementation of 100% e-office have been focussed to institutionalise the practices in the department.
5. All the maters were reviewed by Ms. Anjali Bhawra, Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, through virtual meetings and physical inspections carried out of different sections of the Department. All the officers/officials were involved in Special Campaign 2.0. Pre and post event photographs were taken and uploaded on the special DARPG Portal to visualise the progress made in this regard. All the activities were shared on the Social media through 70 posts.
Ministry of Education
The IIT - PAL designed for helping students to prepare for JEE Advanced Exam to be extended and made available through the SWAYAM portal – Shri Prakash Javadekar
The 52nd Meeting of the Council of IITs was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi today. While briefing the media regarding the decisions taken by the Council, the Minister highlighted that the IIT - PAL designed to help the students in preparing for the JEE Advanced Exam would be further extended, and would be made available along with handholding support through the SWAYAM portal.
Some major decisions taken by the council are as follows:
- IIT will mentor at least 5 engineering colleges located in its vicinity in order to improve the quality and standard of engineering education in the country.
- There will be no revision in tuition fee being charged from the undergraduate students in IITs.
- Council did not consider any further changes in the JEE  system.
- IITs will organize an annual Tech-Fest demonstrating various innovations and technologies developed by them, at any suitable venue with participation from CEOs from leading public/private sector organizations.
- The Boards of Governors of the individual IITs have been empowered to decide the fee for international students.
- The issue of vacant seats in the M.Tech. programmes in IITs due to student joining Public Sector Undertakings  after being admitted will be addressed in a meeting with the CMDs of major PSUs to be held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Human Resource Development.
- A Committee comprising of Directors of IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad and IIT Tirupati has been constituted to recommend standards and norms for construction of campuses and infrastructure projects in IITs.
- The service matters of non-faculty staff in IITs will be decided by the respective Board of Governors of IITs subject to their conformity with the instructions issued by the Government of India from time to time.
Ministry of Defence
Air Marshal Anil Khosla PVSM AVSM VM took over as Vice Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal Anil Khosla PVSM AVSM VM took over as the Vice Chief of Air Staff on 01 Oct 2018
Born on 09 Apr 59, Air Marshal an alumni of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned in Indian Air Force in Dec 79. Air officer has over 4000 hours of accident free flying mainly on different variants of Jaguar, Mig-21 and Kiran aircraft.
Air Officer has been Directing Staff at prestigious institutions like Tactics and Combat Development Establishment  and Flying Instructor School . He has commanded a Jaguar squadron with maritime role and two frontline bases of the IAF at Jaisalmer & Ambala. As an Air Marshal he has held appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command, Director General Air  at Air HQ  and Director General  at Air HQ . His last appointment was AOC-in-C EAC.
For his distinguished service Air Marshal Anil Khosla has been awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal,Vayu Sena Medal and has been commended by the CAS. He was also commended by AOC-in-C, during flying training period as a cadet.
He is married to Mrs Deepshikha Khosla and is blessed with two sons. He is a keen golfer and billiards/pool player. His favourite pass time is puzzle solving which he has pursued upto national level.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
181ST Meeting of ESI Corporation Held
Confinement Expenses Enhanced from RS. 5000 to RS. 7500
The ESI Corporation during its 181STmeeting held yesterday under the Chairmanship of Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Labour& Employment  has taken some important decisions towards improvements in its functioning and service delivery mechanism.
Following decisions were taken during the meeting:-
- Keeping in view the rise in the cost of living index resulting increase in expenditure related to confinement, existing amount of confinement expenses has been increased from Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 7500/-. This facility is for pregnant ladies who are not able to avail maternity services of ESIC dispensaries/ hospitals due to unavoidable reasons and take treatment in other hospitals.
- ESI Corporation has approved the operationalization of Economically Weaker Section  Quota & Admissions to ESIC Medical Institutions from Academic year 2020-21. Besides this, provisional Admission Policy-2020 for Admission to MBBS/BDS Seats under Insured Persons’  Quota in ESIC Medical Colleges has also been approved.
- The Revised Estimates for the current year  and Budget Estimates for the following year  have been adopted and approved during the meeting of ESIC
Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar expressed satisfaction that ESIC has taken many new initiatives of for making the lives of IPs easy. He also deliberated upon his recent visit to many ESIC Hospitals for assessing the real time difficulties of IPs and steps taken towards improving the medical and other related services. The meeting was attended by Shri Heera Lal Samaria, Secretary, Labour & Employment, Shri Raj Kumar, Director General, ESIC, Ms. Anuradha Prasad, Addl. Secretary, Labour & Employment along with MPs, Representatives of Employees & Employers, ESI Corporation Members, representatives of State Govts. and senior officers.
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation is a pioneer Social Security organization providing comprehensive social security benefits like reasonable Medical Care and a range of Cash Benefits in times of need such as employment injury, sickness, death etc. The ESI Act applies to premises/precincts where 10 or more persons are employed. The employees drawing wages up to Rs.21,000/- a month are entitled to health insurance cover and other benefits, under the ESI Act. The Act now applies to over 12.11 lakh factories and establishments across the country, benefiting about 3.49 crore family units of workers. As of now, the total beneficiary population of ESI Scheme stands over 13.56 crore. Ever since its inception in 1952, the ESI Corporation has, so far, set up 159 Hospitals, 1500/148 Dispensaries / ISM Units, 793 Branch/Pay Offices, 43 DCBOs and 63 Regional & Sub-Regional Offices.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to dedicate to the nation PSA Oxygen Plants established under PM CARES on 7th October
PM to dedicate 35 PSA Oxygen Plants across 35 States and UTs
PSA Oxygen Plants now commissioned in all districts of the country
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation 35 Pressure Swing Adsorption  Oxygen Plants established under PM CARES, across 35 States and Union Territories, in an event to be held at AIIMS Rishikesh, Uttarakhand on 7th October, 2021 at 11 AM. With this, all districts of the country will now have commissioned PSA Oxygen Plants. Prime Minister will also address the gathering on the occasion.
Till now, a total of 1224 PSA Oxygen Plants have been funded under PM CARES all across the country, out of which more than 1100 Plants have been commissioned, providing an output of over 1750 MT oxygen per day. It is a testimony of the proactive measures taken by the Government to augment India’s medical oxygen generation capacity since the advent of Covid-19 pandemic.
The project to commission a PSA oxygen plant in each district of the country was executed while dealing with complex challenges of hilly areas, islands and territories with difficult terrain.
Operations and maintenance of these plants have been ensured by training more than 7,000 personnel. They come with an embedded Internet of Things  device for real time monitoring of their functioning and performance through a consolidated web portal.
Governor & Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, along with Union Health Minister will also be present on the occasion.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Cabinet approves The Medical Termination of Pregnancy  Bill, 2020
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy  Bill, 2020 to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The Bill will be introduced in the ensuing session of theParliament.
Salient features of proposed amendments:
- Proposing requirement for opinion of one provider for termination of pregnancy, up to 20 weeks of gestation and introducing the requirement of opinion of two providers for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.
- Enhancing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include 'vulnerable women including survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women  etc.
- Upper gestation limit not to apply in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by Medical Board. The composition, functions and other details of Medical Board to be prescribed subsequently in Rules under the Act.
- Name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed except to a person authorised in any law for the time being in force.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy  Bill, 2020 is for expanding access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarianor social grounds. The proposed amendments includesubstitution of certainsub-sections, insertion of certain new clauses under some sections in the existing Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, with a view to increase upper gestation limit for termination of pregnancy under certain conditions and to strengthen access to comprehensiveabortioncare, under strict conditions, without compromisingservice andquality of safe abortion.
It is a step towards safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefitted by this. Recently several petitions were received by the Courts seeking permission for aborting pregnancies at a gestational age beyond the present permissible limit on grounds of foetal abnormalities or pregnancies due to sexual violence faced by women. The proposed increase in gestational age will ensure dignity, autonomy, confidentiality and justice for women who need to terminate pregnancy.
In orderto increase access of women to safe abortion services and taking into account the advances in medical technology, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed amendments after extensive consultation with various stake holders and several ministries.